Roku

Developer: Roku Inc.

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Screenshots

Review

Roku is a small box that plugs into the TV's HDMI port to deliver internet video and audio content to the TV. Roku's main competitor is Apple TV. Roku has been around longer and has more channels than Apple TV.

Features

Roku comes with a remote control, which is also a headphone jack, so you can listen to the audio privately. There are three buttons on the remote: back, home, and play. There are also buttons for volume, play/pause, rewind, and fast forward. You can use the remote to search for movies or TV shows by title, actor, or genre. The remote is also used to select the TV's input. Roku has a library of more than 10,000 channels. Roku has a channel for just about anything that you would want to watch. Some of the channels include Netflix, Hulu Plus, and Amazon Instant Video. The Roku comes with a remote that is also a QWERTY keyboard. This is great for searching. Roku also has a USB port for connecting a thumb drive or a hard drive that has your photos and videos on it. You can then stream the files on your TV.

Design

Roku is a small box that plugs into the TV's HDMI port. It is about 2"x3"x2". The Roku is a small black box with a remote that has a QWERTY keyboard on it. There is a USB port on the back for connecting a USB stick.

Information about usability

It is easy to set up and use Roku. You just plug it into the TV's HDMI port, and follow the instructions to add channels. You can add channels from the home screen by clicking the plus button in the top right. You can also navigate to the channel store and find channels there.

Pros

Has been around for longer than Apple TV
Has over 2,500 channels to choose from
Offers a media player
Has a remote that also doubles as a headphone jack
Has a sleek design
Remote is easy to use and navigate
Roku has a one-month trial period

Cons

Remote doesn't have a touch screen, so you don't get the same control as an iPad
Doesn't have the largest selection of apps
Roku lacks a web browser
Roku's price is higher than Apple TV's
Roku has a limited number of games

Conclusion

Roku and Apple TV are the two main players in the streaming box market. Roku has been around longer than Apple TV and has more apps. You can get a Roku and an Amazon Fire Stick for a great price. They both have their advantages and disadvantages, so you should try them out to see which one you like better.